Results 6,161-6,180 of 25,799 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. In July 2022 I launched the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant which supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Properties (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The repair and leasing scheme (RLS) is one of the delivery options in Pathway 4 of Housing for All – Pathway to Addressing Vacancy and Efficient Use of Existing Stock. Housing for All committed to placing a renewed focus on RLS and has set ambitious targets for its duration. In line with this commitment, a pilot expansion to the scheme targeting the conversion of vacant commercial /...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Schemes (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock. In July 2022 the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was launched to support bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. From 1 May 2023, a grant of up to a maximum of €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Provision (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The substantial uplift in housing delivery since Housing for All was launched in 2021 - almost 30,000 new homes completed in 2022 and more than 30,000 forecast for this year - is expected to be sustained into 2024. Indeed, initial sectoral forecasts suggest new home delivery next year will be at its highest level for many years, with some commentators suggesting the Housing for All target of...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The management and maintenance of local authority housing stock, including pre-letting repairs to vacant properties, the implementation of a planned maintenance programme and carrying out of responsive repairs, are matters for each individual local authority under Section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. Since 2014, Exchequer funding has also been provided through my Department's Voids...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together. It is of the utmost importance in the first instance to point out that provision for the handling and consideration of appeals where considered vexatious is currently already legislated for under section 138 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), under which An Bord Pleanála has powers to dismiss appeals where it...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Emergency Accommodation (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. Critical to supporting households to exit homelessness is increasing the supply of housing. Record State investment of over €5bn is available to support capital investment in housing in 2024. This funding will support the delivery of 9,300 new build social homes and 6,400 affordable homes. Budget...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (13 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to my reply to Question No. 407 of the 12 December 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.

Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) (No. 2) Bill 2023: Second Stage [Private Members] (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank Deputy Ó Broin for tabling the Private Members' Bill again. Much of what we are discussing this evening was discussed last week, though the Sinn Féin motion did not include this proposal to reintroduce a temporary moratorium on evictions over the winter period. We have to make sure anything we do in the private rental sector does not make the situation worse. I have said...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Public Sector Staff (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) staffing figure for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) was 494.49 at the end of October 2023. The information requested is set out in the table below: Grade Stream Grade Equiv. Grade WTE General Service PO PRINCIPAL 7.00 AP ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Data (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The correspondence in question was received by my office who subsequently issued a reply on 19 October and 6 December. Additional correspondence was received on 6 December and a response is currently being drafted and will issue within 10 working days.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Staff (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Based on the current pay levels, the estimated cost of recruiting an additional two WTE Senior Archaeologists and seven WTE Archaeologist is €434,914 per annum.My Department is currently engaged with the Public Appointments Service in recruiting additional Archaeologists.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Under the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, tenants source their own accommodation in the private rented market. The accommodation sourced by tenants should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned. Local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that tenancies are sustainable and are advised...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Defective Building Materials (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I commenced the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 (the Act) on 22 June 2023, which provides for the enhanced grant scheme, and adopted the related Regulations on 29 June 2023. Section 5 of the Act contains details on the process for the inclusion of additional local authority areas into the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) Grant Scheme....

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: Consistent with the provisions in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014, the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is considered to be a social housing support and consequently households in receipt of a payment under the scheme are not eligible to remain on the main housing waiting list. Ministerial directions have issued to ensure that, should they so choose, HAP recipients can...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Expenditure (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) Scheme was introduced, on an administrative basis, to address the immediate circumstances of the ending of the 'Winter Emergency Period' on 31 March 2023. This scheme is available where a tenant faces the termination of a tenancy due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued Acquisition Cost Guidelines (ACGs) in...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Traveller Accommodation (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 393 together. The Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 provides that the role of my Department is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist housing authorities in providing accommodation for Travellers, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding. The Act provides that housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: The Multi-annual Rural Water Programme (MARWP) is the main funding stream providing capital funding to address the challenges facing the Rural Water Sector and in particular by Group Water Schemes. Under the programme, funding is available to address infrastructure deficits that are having an impact on the provision of safe and secure drinking water supplies. My Department undertook and has...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Policies (12 Dec 2023)

Darragh O'Brien: I refer to the reply to Dáil Question no. 220 on 7 December which sets out the information requested.